Healthy Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

The recipe is so simple, and it’s so easy to customize based on your taste buds and nutritional needs.  Just start with a can of pumpkin puree and 2 cups of oats (quick or old fashioned will do).  Add a teaspoon or two of any spices and flavorings you like (I used pumpkin pie spice and vanilla), and one cup of your favorite mix-ins like chocolate or carob chips and walnuts.  If you want to add a little extra nutrition, sprinkle in some flax seeds or wheat germ.  This is such a simple one-bowl dessert, and the best part is these cookies have only 40 calories each and no added sugar!  Now you won’ t have any reasons to skip dessert!

Ingredients

• 1- 15 oz. can or 1⅘ cups of pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
• ¼ tsp sea salt
• 2 cups old fashioned or quick oats
• ½ cup dark chocolate chips
• ½ cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Farenheit.
2. Line 2 cookie sheets with silpat mats or parchment paper.
3. In a large mixing bowl, stir together pumpkin puree, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and sea salt until well blended. Mix in the oats, chocolate chips, and walnuts until well combined.
4. Drop heaping tablespoons of batter onto cookie sheets. You may want to flatten the cookies slightly with a lightly oiled palm or glass since they do not spread in the oven.
5. Bake cookies in preheated oven for 15 minutes – they should be slightly brown on the bottoms. Cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet and transfer to wire racks to cool for an additional 20 minutes. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.